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Oakland set the stage for the race we had all been waiting for. Three of the top four heavyweights were up front early, with nothing but a clear track on the horizon. Chad Reed, James Stewart and Ryan Villopoto went toe to toe with Stewart landing the final knockout blow, pulling away from Reed and Villopoto late. The win came on the eve of Mark Adams’, Stewart's practice mechanic, death earlier in the week. It was a somber win for Stewart and the entire JGR team in Oakland.

With four different winners, riding four different brands, through four rounds, the 2012 title chase is beginning to reach a boiling point. Now onto the lap charts to see how it all broke down in Oakland.

For the fourth consecutive week Ryan Villopoto torched the lap charts setting a blistering pace with a 54.040. While RV continues to reign as "King of the Lap Charts", a telling statistic does stand out. Villopoto set his fastest lap on the fourth lap, which allowed him to reel in Reed and Stewart. But Stewart managed to pull away from the field by setting his fastest lap on lap eleven.

It's easy to overlook the brilliance of Ryan Dungey sometimes. He is never one to "stir the pot" so to speak, he just puts his head down and brings it, week in and week out. Overshadowed by the Stewart, Reed and Villopoto battle up front was the charge Dungey put on. After a rough start, Dungey, like RV has done in Phoenix and L.A., methodically sliced his way through the pack to secure a fourth place finish—retaining a share of the points lead— in what could become a championship saving performance.

Villopoto set the fastest lap of the night, but Stewart left Oakland with the W.Photo: Garth Milan

Eli Tomac continues to be the Pablo Picasso of the lap charts—painting masterpiece after masterpiece. While he was unable to best the 450 guys again this week he did manage to set the fastest lap of the Lites class for the fourth consecutive week. This trend may continue, unless Dean Wilson and crew can find a way to stop the human freight train.

After a rough few weeks, Star/Valli Yamaha's Ryan Sipes put in a solid ride in Oakland. Overcoming a rough start, Sipes bullied his way through the pack en route to his best finish of the season. Sipes has shown the speed to contend all year, but has had trouble putting all the pieces of the puzzle together. But Oakland may prove to be the race that straightened out a season gone sideways.

Tomac would once again set the fastest time of the night in the Lites class.Photo: Garth Milan